Best Secondary Schools in Hertfordshire 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 77 schools across Hertfordshire. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Hertfordshire has 77 secondary schools, of which 24 (31%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a further 46 rated Good — 91% of secondary schools in Hertfordshire are rated Good or Outstanding overall. Dame Alice Owen's School currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Catchment data available for 1 school in Hertfordshire. We publish last-admitted distance and three-year history wherever the council has released it — useful before you commit to a postcode in the area.

Application deadlines in Hertfordshire follow the national calendar: 31 October for Year 7 secondary entry and 15 January for Reception primary entry. Offers go out on 1 March and 16 April respectively.

77
Total schools
24
Outstanding
31%
Outstanding rate
63.8%
Avg KS2 SATs
44.1
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 Dame Alice Owen's School
Secondary
 Outstanding 98 View school
🥈 Watford Grammar School for Boys
Secondary
 Outstanding 96 View school
🥉 Watford Grammar School for Girls
Secondary
 Outstanding 95 View school
4. Parmiter's School
Secondary
 Outstanding 93 View school
5. Sandringham School
Secondary
 Outstanding 91 View school
6. St Clement Danes School
Secondary
 Outstanding 91 View school
7. The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College
Secondary
 Outstanding 89 View school
8. Sir John Lawes School
Secondary
 Outstanding 88 View school
9. Rickmansworth School
Secondary
 Outstanding 86 View school
10. The Bishop's Stortford High School
Secondary
 Outstanding 85 View school
11. Roundwood Park School
Secondary
 Outstanding 84 View school
12. Presdales School
Secondary
 Outstanding 84 View school
13. Hitchin Boys' School
Secondary
 Outstanding 81 View school
14. Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School
Secondary
 Outstanding 81 View school
15. Hockerill Anglo-European College
Secondary
 Good 79 View school
16. Yavneh College
Secondary
 Good 79 View school
17. The Broxbourne School
Secondary
 Outstanding 79 View school
18. Bishop's Hatfield Girls' School
Secondary
 Outstanding 75 View school
19. The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School
Secondary
 Good 75 View school
20. Ashlyns School
Secondary
 Good 75 View school

Related lists for Hertfordshire

All schools in HertfordshirePrimary & secondary combined Primary schools in HertfordshireReception–Year 6 only Outstanding schools in Hertfordshire24 schools rated Outstanding

See full data for any school in Hertfordshire

Catchment distances, exam trends, SEN data, attendance, and more — all in one place.

Search schools in Hertfordshire

Frequently asked questions

How many secondary schools are there in Hertfordshire?
There are 77 secondary schools in Hertfordshire, of which 24 (31%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Hertfordshire?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Hertfordshire is Dame Alice Owen's School. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Hertfordshire?
Primary and secondary school applications in Hertfordshire are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Hertfordshire council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Hertfordshire?
31% of secondary schools in Hertfordshire are rated Outstanding and 60% are rated Good. 79.2% are rated Good or Outstanding.

Data sourced from Ofsted, Department for Education, and ISI. School rankings reflect the Schools Near Me composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance, and pupil-teacher ratios. Last updated April 2026.